Making Koalas Fungible: Biodiversity Offsetting and the Law

With Professor David Takacs, University of California Hastings College of the Law

Tuesday, 3 September
1pm - 2pm
Room 611, Level 6
Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton

In biodiversity offsetting, developers are permitted to degrade or destroy a protected species or ecosystem in one place in exchange for "offsetting" the biological entity elsewhere. Professor Takacs reviews this growing practice, discusses its pros and cons, and highlights best emerging practices if a jurisdiction does allow such offsetting.

Presenter

David Takacs is a Professor of Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. In addition to his JD, he holds an LL.M. from the School of Oriental & African Studies at the University of London, and a BS (Biology), MA, and PhD (Science & Technology Studies) from Cornell University. His scholarly work addresses carbon offsetting, biodiversity conservation law, the Public Trust Doctrine, and the human right to water. He is the author of the book The Idea of Biodiversity . In 2017, he received the Rutter Award for Outstanding Teaching at UC Hastings, where he currently holds the John & Lillian Hastings Research Chair.